Abstract
Present day geomorphological research is the explanation of landscapes and landforms: what they are, how they function and have developed. This includes a variety of approaches some of which are shown in Figure 1.5.1. Research is a much more complex undertaking than giving names to landforms or even the A-level study of ‘processes’, both in terms of what we mean by ‘process’, and how ‘explanations’ are approached. It is worthwhile examining some reasons for this, as it shows the increasing complexity of the subject and leads to ideas of how geomorphology can be studied.
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Further Reading
Reading can profitably be directed towards two general themes, the first dealing with broad issues and the second introducing specific details of a materials-based approach. The following three references open the discussion by raising a variety of methodological matters
Chorley R. J. (1978) ‘Bases for theory in geomorphology’, in Embleton C., Brunsden D. and Jones D. K. C. (eds) Geomorphology, Present Trends and Future Prospects (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
Gregory S. (1978) ‘The role of physical geography in the curriculum’, Geography, vol. 63, pp. 251–64.
Jennings J. N. (1972) ‘“Any milleniums today, lady?” The geomorphic bandwaggon parade’, Australian Geographical Studies, vol. 11, pp. 115–33.
Next, various aspects of materials-based explanation are considered, starting with two overall statements of the potential
Whalley W. B. (1976) Properties of Materials and Geomorphological Explanation (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
Pitty A. (1985) Themes in Geomorphology (Beckenham: Croom Helm).
Finally, the following sources introduce a variety of detailed examples of the significance of materials at various scales, starting with weathering and moving on to erosional and depositional environments
Goudie A. S. and Pye, K. (1983) Chemical Sediments and Geomorphology (London: Academic Press).
Wilson R. C. L. (1983) Residual Deposits: Surface Related Weathering Processes and Materials (Oxford: Blackwell Scientific).
Brunsden D. and Prior D. B. (1984 ) Slope Instability (Chichester: John Wiley).
Caine, N. (1983) The Mountains of Northeastern Tasmania (Rotterdam: Balkema).
Boulton G. S. (1975) ‘Processes and patterns of subglacial sedimentation: a theoretical approach’, in Wright A. E. and Moseley F. (eds) Ice Ages: Ancient and Modern (Liverpool: Seel House Press) pp. 7–42.
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© 1987 W. Brian Whalley
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Whalley, W.B. (1987). Mechanisms, Materials and Classification in Geomorphological Explanation. In: Clark, M.J., Gregory, K.J., Gurnell, A.M. (eds) Horizons in Physical Geography. Horizons in Geography. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18944-1_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18944-1_6
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